In trout streams across the country (unfortunately neglecting Alaska as we are a couple months behind everyone) the spring thaw brings about a favorite food for the river’s residents, the Blue Winged Olive. A member of the mayfly genus Baetis, once the water temps get above 40 degrees, these little grey sailboats start to hatch…
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Trout
Fishing Winter Rivers in Low Flows
We are in that tough time of year where Alaska is entering a deep freeze and thoughts of Andros are the only thing keeping us warm. Depending on where you live, there can still be some great fishing options in the form of winter trout streams. One variable most all rivers have in common during…
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ANGLER AWARENESS : Why Are Felt-Sole Boots Banned in Alaska?
In 2012 the Alaska Department of Fish and Game passed a regulation that banned all felt or other “absorbent fibrous materials” on boot soles while sport fishing in the fresh waters of the state. It has been almost 7 years since this regulation was first passed, is it still in effect? The answer is yes…
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Timeless Tips: Sight Fishing for Trout
We’re really lucky to have an extremely diverse trout fishery at Alaska West. It’s not uncommon during any part of our season to catch trout by swinging flies, stripping streamers, dead drifting sub-surface patterns, or skating mouse flies on top. However, one of our favorite ways to target big leopard rainbows is by sight fishing…
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Buzzer Beater!
Last week we informed you that we were wrapping up the last fishing day of our 2018 season at Alaska West, mostly to say thanks to all of you who made it such a memorable season. In case you missed it, and joined us on the Kanektok this season, well, thanks! We may have jumped…
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Set Towards the Tail
Today we address one of the most common mistakes we see made on the river; setting the hook in the wrong direction. When fishing in moving water, the direction in which your rod tip moves when lifting the rod to set the hook can be the difference between a fish that makes it to the…
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Guide Poll: Favorite Way to Target Rainbow Trout
One thing we love about our native Alaskan rainbows (aside from their size, beauty, and aggressive nature, of course) is that we get to target them using a bunch of wild techniques that you might not otherwise get to try in other parts of the world. From skating rodent imitations, to stripping ridiculously large streamers,…
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Alaska West Mini Gallery – Dean Tsandes Edition
We’ve said it many, many times before, but we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to fish with a lot of really great/really fishy people in a lot of really great/really fishy places over the course of a year. One of those people is Dean Tsandes; a two-time Alaska West guest, aspiring fly fishing guide, and proud…
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Timeless Tips: Mousing for Rainbow Trout
One of the most fun and unique ways to target rainbow trout in Western Alaska is by ‘mousing.’ Small voles and other rodents often find themselves in the river, intentionally or not, and our bigger predatory rainbows are always on the lookout for a meal that’s even more filling than their usual diet of salmon…
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Timeless Tips: 5 Ways to Catch More Rainbow Trout
Catching rainbow trout at Alaska West is not all that difficult – in fact it’s easy to catch ‘some.’ That being said, great anglers catch more, and great anglers catch the bigger ones. Here are 5 ways you can make yourself into a ‘greater’ trout angler in our part of the world. Mend less. Our…
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